tine sparkles

Inside Inspiration: Marianne Roosa
By Lain Chroust Ehmann

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It’s okay to be different. For example, to wear colorful clothes even though all the other arty types you know seem to have only black in their closets. Or to pursue design as a career when others see it as just a really cool hobby. To collect Playmobil toys even if you don’t have any kids. And to create stuffed animals with only one eye.
Marianne Roosa knows about the joys of being different. A graphic designer living in Den Hague, The Netherlands, Marianne was trained in fashion design and graphic design at the Willem de Kooning Art Academy. She spends her days creating everything from logos to brochures, pictograms, and editorial illustrations. And she spends her nights on her Oneyes.

Oneye is a colorful handmade plush character that Marianne designs and creates. What started from a simple illustration has turned into a whole family of Oneyes. Currently, there are five different Oneye family characters, all with traditionally Dutch names such as “Piet,” “Bart,” and “Gijs,” and each with their own unique personalities. There are also a handful of limited edition Oneyes (think vamp”eye”res and angels), as well as a variety of paper goods and stationery, all emblazoned with the Oneye character. In just a few months, Oneyes have been sent to their new homes around the world – Canada, the US, Sweden, and Japan.

Whether she’s designing a catalog or a new Oneye, Marianne’s style is similar – colorful graphics with simple lines and bright, contrasting colors. Her work evokes a feeling of fun and playfulness that is kept from being too “cutesy” by its sophisticated simplicity. Because of this dichotomy, her work is appealing to both children and adults.
Marianne starts her creative process with a sketch to give her a rough idea of where she’s headed, but she allows herself enough leeway to make adjustments as she proceeds. And after she’s finished, she makes notes of changes, things that can be improved upon for the next time. “I am never satisfied with the work I have done,” she says. “I always see something that I could have done better, or maybe in a different way. I try to learn from my mistakes.”
Marianne says that she finds inspiration for her work everywhere – from pop culture, places she visits, films she sees, music she hears, “from shopping, from books I read, and from people,” she says. The Internet is another source. “I feel inspired by other creative people, seeing their work and the way they have made a success of their business,” Marianne explains. To keep all the information from becoming overwhelming, she suggests that others pick out only what’s important to them and let the rest go. “In the beginning, I read everything,” she recalls. “Now I have made a selection of sources that I use regularly.”

When an idea does occur to her, she makes sure to capture it. “Ideas can pop up in my head at all times of the day. I’m always thinking. I usually write my ideas down on little memos or in a notebook.”
 Another key element to her creative process is her “moodbooks.” She makes collages with specific themes and colors. “Those books I use to inspire me when I am searching for ideas,” she explains. “I can use them for any kind of project.” (see examples of Marianne’s moodbooks here ).
Like most artistic types – and like most perfectionists – there is always more that Marianne wants to do. “Painting!” she says. “I really want to make paintings and get away from that computer. But I feel very insecure about it.” She would also like to participate in more art shows, and eventually move her studio outside her house. She envisions “a place where I can work, but also have a small gallery and shop where I can show my work, but also other people’s work.”
We can’t wait to see her – and Oneye, of course – there.

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Visit Marianne's website here.

Visit Marianne's weblog here. 

Shop Marianne's creations at her online store.